Well-sinking apparatus.



PATENTED 001? 16, 17906 M. T. CHAPMAN.

WELL SINKING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED JULY 15, 1901.

4 SHEETS-SHEET l.

MZjEEEs No. 838,200. PATENTED 0OT.16, 1 906. M.'T. CHAPMAN.

WELL SINKING APPARATUS.

APPLIUATION I'IFED JULYIS, 1961.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WIZ EE 5E5 PATENTED 001?. 16, 1906. M. T. CHAPMAN.

WELL SINKING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED JULY15, 1901. 4 SHEETS-SHEETS.

l E' ZZE- E m fez MM,

N0. 833,200. PATENTED 0GT.16, 1906. M. T. CHAPMAN.

WELL SINKING APPARATUS. APPLIOATION'FILBD JULY15. 1901.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4,

drawings.

MATTHEW T. CHAPMAN, OF AURORA, ILLINOIS.

WELL-SINKING" APPARATUS.

No. ssaaoo.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 16, 1906.

Application filed July 15.1901. Serial No. 68,383.

T 0 all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, MATTHEW T. CHAP- MAN, a citizen of the United States, residing.

at Aurora, in the county of Kane and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in WelLSinking Apparatus, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawmgs.

' My invention relates to apparatusfor sinking wells, and has special reference to apparatus designed for sinking wells 'to great depth.

It has for its object to provide certain improvements in well-sinking apparatus, as hereinafter described and as illustrated inthe What I regard as new will be set forth the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of the turn-table, partly in section; Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof, partly in section. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the turn-table, the gripping devices being illustrated in position thereon. Fig. 4 is apartial vertical section on line 5 5 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is apartial vertical section on line 6 6 of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail, being a partial vertical section, illustrating in part the adjusting devices for adjusting the gripping devices. Fig. 7 'isapartial horizontal section of one of the sprocketewheelsl tail, being a vertical section of part of the turn-table, showing one of the clamping devices. Fig. 9 is a vertical section on line 10 10 of Fig. 8, and Fig. 10 is a horizontal section on line 11 11 of Fig. 8.

It will be understood that in well-sinking apparatus of the type with which my present invention has more particularly to do the pipe which is to form the tubeor casing of the well, andwhich is usually termed the wellthe well, its lower end being provided with a suitable boringfdevice. The well-tube, suspended from a derrick or other suitable supgrip it and cause it to rotate, meanwhile permitting it to move endwis-e, and it is .with such gripping mechanism that my present invention has more particularly todo.

As will be observed from the examination Fig. 8 is an enlarged de-- tube, is employed for boring the first part of port, is rotated about a vertical axis by, means of suitable clamping devices which,

of the drawings, the gri ping devices are mounted upon a turn-tab e 30, which is pro- 1 i vided with a central annular opening through which the well-tube and boring-tube pass.

The turn-table is provided at its under side with an annular channel 31, which receives a series of antifriction-rollers 32, supported in an annular groove 33 in a bed 34, so that the turn-table 30 is adapted to rotate freely on the rollers 32. The turn-table 30 is caused to rotate by means of a bevel-pinion 35, mounted on a horizontal shaft 36, journaled in a suitable bearing 37 and rotated from any suitable source of power. The pinion 35 meshes with an annular rack 38, carried at the under side of the turn-table 30, as shown in Fig. 2,

so that by rotating said pinion the turn-table may be caused to rotate on the rollers 32. While rotating, the turntable is held down in position by clamps 39, secured to the base 40 of the turn-table and having teeth 41, which pro'ect into an annular groove 42, arran ed below the rack 38, as shown in Fig. 2.. Pre erably four of the clamps 39 are provided, as shown in Fig.

The arrangement of the gripping devices on the turn-table is best shown in Fig, 3, from an inspection of which it will be seen that there are three clamping devices A, B, and C, respectively, arranged equally distant apart around the central opening of the turntable in position to engage the well-tube 26.

Each of'said clamping devices is arrangedto move radially toward and from the tube to be clamped, sliding on the turn-table. As shown in Fig. 4, each of the clamping devices consists'of a corrugated roller 43, mounted on a horiz'ontal'axis 44, carried in a frame 45 U-shaped in cross-section, .which restsupon the turn-table. The inner portion of each roller 43 that is to say,.the portion nearest the center of the turn-table-projects beyond the frame 45 sufficiently to enable 'it to engage the tube to be clamped. The frames 45;are adapted to slide radially on the turntable,

being provided with laterally-projecting flanges 46, embraced. by guide-plates 47, se-

cured to the turn-table, as shown in Fig. 4.

In order to hold the rollers 43 properly in operative position and. prevent them from vibrating laterally, side bearing-plates 48 are provided, which are secured to the sides of the frame 45 and adjacent to the rollers 43,. and between said plates 48 and the ends of the rollers antifriction-balls are provided, as shown in Fig. 4, thus providing end bearings for said rollers. Roller-bearings 50are also providedjaround the axis 44 on each roller,

so that they may be rotated more freely.

In the form of clamp shown in Figs. 4 and 5 the rollers 43 .are mounted on axes 44, which are secured directly in the frames 45, and in this construction the clamping-rollers 43 cannot move vertically. In some cases, however, and particularly where it is frequently necessary to jump the we'll-tube, it is desirable to provide for lifting the clamping-rollers out of engagement with the tube to be clamped, and I provide for such movement by mounting the axes 44 of the said rollers 43 in swinging yokes 51, pivoted upon horizontal axes 52, mounted in the frames 45, as best shown in Fig. 8. By this construction each roller, withits yoke 51, maybe rocked about its axis 52 to carry it out of engagement with the well-tube and when released will return to such engagement. 53indicates an eccentric stop arranged under the side portions of each yoke 51 on a shaft 51*, journaled in the frame 45, as shown in Figs, 8 and 9. By rocking the shaft 51'the stops 53 may be turned to swing the yoke 51 upward and carry the roller 43'upout of operative engagement withthe boring-tube. v When turned down, the stops 53 permit the yoke to descend to operative position and prevent it from descending too far. Each shaft 51? is provided with a ratchet-wheel 52 and pawl 53 to hold it against rotation when the stop 53 is turned up. By using the swin ing yoke it is much easier to lower the wel tube or the boring-tube into the well, since the clampingadjusted radially to adapt them to differentsized tubes by means of adjusting-rods a b 0.

(Shown in Fig. 3.) Each of said rods has a screw-threaded inner end, which is fitted in a threaded block 54, secured to each of the frames 45, as shown in Fig. 8 Between its ends each of said rods is fitted in a bearin block 55, secured to the turntable 30. o

' prevent the rods afb: c fromimoving longitudinally in said bearing-blocks 55, a collar 56 is provided at one sideof said block and a-bevel gear 57 at the other side,-the bevel-gear being keyed to the rod, as shown in Fig. 8, where a By this construction frames 45 will be caused to move radially between the guide-plates '47 The arrangement of the screw-threads in each of the rods a b c is such that similar rotation of said rods bevel-gears 62 63 and '64 65 at their ends.

The rod 60 extends between the gears 57, carried by rods 11 and 6, its gears'62 63 meshing with the gears 57, carried by the rods 0. and b, as shown in Fig. 3. Similarly, the gears 64 65, carried by the rods 61, mesh with the gears 57 of rods 1) and 6, so that by rotating any one of the rods (1, b, or 0 both the otherrods maybe rotated simultaneously and to an equal extent. While the adjusting devices thus far described provide for easy and accurate adjustment of the different clamping devices when the turn-table is at rest, they cannot be conveniently operated while it is rotated. I have therefore provided means by which the clamping devices may be readily adjusted without stopping the turn-table. Such devices are best shown in Figs. 3', 4, 5, 6, and 7. said figures, each of the rods a b c carries near its outer end a sprocket-wheel 66, and said sprocket-wheels engage a chain 67, which extends around the turn-table and bears upon the peripheries of said wheels. Said.chain 67 also passes around a series of sprocket-wheels 68, mounted on vertical shafts 69, rising from the turn-table 30, as

shown in Fig. 6. One of said sprocketwheels 68 is placed at each side of and adjacent to each sprocket-wheel 66, and they serve to hold the chain 67 properly in engagement with the sprocket-wheels 66 and also provide for moving said chain to partly rotate the sprocket-wheels and adjust the positionof the clamping devices, as will be hereinafter described.

Above each sprocket-wheel 68 on each of the shafts 69 is a cross-head 70;- carrying two upright pins 71 at opposite sides of the shaft, as shown in 3 to6, said cross As shown in heads being keyed to the shafts 69, as are also the sprocket-wheels 68, so that by rotating the shafts the sprocket-wheels 68 may also be rotated. The object of the crossheads 76 and pins 71 isv to provide for rotating the spro'cke-t wheels 68 While the turn--.

table is in rotation, the operation being to j place a crowbar upon one of the cross-heads,

so as to project between the two pins carried by it, when by holding the outer end of the bar fixedly as the turn-table rotates the crosshead, and consequently the 'sprocket-wheelv 68 adjacent it, will be rotated to a' greater or less extent, thereby adjusting theposition of the chain 67 and correspondingly adjust' ing the clamping devices A, B, and C. In order to provide for reversely adjusting the chain 67, a gear 72 is provided, mounted on a vertical shaft 73, carried by the turn-table 30, said gear being placed adjacent to one of the shafts 69 and being adapted to engage a 'gear 74,.carried by said shaft below its sprocket-wheel 68, as shown in Fig. 6.

In the construction shown the gear 72 carries four pins 75, which rise from the upper surface thereof and are arranged equally distant apart. By placing a crowbar between two of the pins 75 the gear 72 may be turned upon its pivot, and consequently through the gear 74 will rotate the sprocket-wheels mitted from the gear 72 to the gear 74. ,It

will thus be seen that notwithstanding the fact that the turn-tablerotates continuously in the same direction the chain 67 may be moved in either direction to adjust the clamping devices backward or forward without stopping the turn-table by placing a proper tool between the pins 71 of one of the cross-heads 7 O or between the pins 75 of the gear 72.

While I have described in detail my improvements as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, I do not wish to be restricted to the specific details of the construction described, except in so far assuch details are particularly claimed. I

-That which I claim as my'invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a well-sinking apparatus, the combination of a turn-table, a support carried thereby and arranged to swing upward from a horizontal plane, and gripping means carried by said support and adapted to engage the boringtube, wherebysaid gripping means may be moved out of operative engagement.

wtithdthe boring-tube when the boring-tube is li te 2. A grippingdevice for well-sinking apparatus, comprising a ,suitable support, a swinging frame mounted thereon and arranged to swing upward from a horizontal plane, and a rotary gripping-disk mounted in said frame and adapted to rotate on a horizontal axis;

3. A gripping device for wellsi.nking apparatus, comprising a suitable support, a

paratus, OOIIIPIlSlIlg swinging frame, mounted therein and arfrom a horizontal plane, a rotary gripping-disk mounted in said frame and adapted to rotate on a horizontal. axis, and means for adjusting said gripping-disk toward and from the article to be clamped, substantially as described.

. 4. A gripping device for well-sinking apparatus, comprising'a suitable support, a rotary gripping-disk mounted therein and adapted to rotate on a horizontal axis, and

lateral bearing-plates at the sides of said gripping-disk betweensaid gripping-disk and its support, substantially as described. 5. A gripping device for well-sinking apa yoke, a rotary gripping-disk mounted therein and adapted to rotate on a horizontal axis, lateral bearingplates at the. sides of said ripping-disk between said disk and said yo re, substantially as described.

6. In a well-sinking apparatus, the combination of aturn-table, supporting devices carried by said turn-tablefsaid supporting devices being arranged to travel toward and fromthe boring-tube, gripping devices carried by said supporting devices and adapted to grip the boring-tube, andmeans for positively moving said grippingdevices simulta neously toward and from said boring-tube.

7. In a well-sinking apparatus, the combination of a turn-table, supporting devices car ried by said turn-table and disposed triangularly thereupon, said supporting devices be- -.ing arranged to travel toward and from the boring-tube, gripping devices carried by said supporting devices and adapted to grip the boringtube, and means for positively moving said gripping devices simultaneously toward and trom's'aid,boring-tube.

8. In a well-sinking apparatus, the combination of a turn-table, supporting devices carried by said turn-table, said supporting (levices bein arranged to travel radiallytoward and om the boring-tube, gripping devices carried by said supporting devices and adapted to grip the borin -tube, and means for positively moving sai gripping devices simultaneously towar'd'a'nd from said boring-- tube.

9. In a well-sinking appiiratus, the combination of a turn-table, suppbirting devices carried by said turn-table, said supporting devices being arranged totravel toward and from the boring-tube, gripping devices carried by said supportlng devices and adapted to gri the bormg-tubepand means independent 0 the rotation of the turn-table for positively moving said gripping devices simultaneously toward and from said boring-tube.

10. In a well-sinkin apparatus, the combination of a turn-tab e, supporting devices carried by said turn-table, said supporting de vices bein arranged to travel radially toward and 0m the boring-tube, gripping devices carried by said supporting devices and adapted to grip theboring-tribe, and means independent of the rotation of the turn-table for positively moving said gripping devices singultaneously toward and from said boring tu e.,

11. In a well-sinking apparatus, the combination of a turn-table,supporting devices carried by said turn table, said supporting'tlevices being arranged to travel toward and from the boring-tube, gripping devices car ried by said supporting devices and adapted togrip the boring-tube, and means adapted to be operated while the turn-table is rotating for positively moving said gripping devices toward and from the boring-tube.

12. In a well-sinking apparatus, the combination of a turn-table, supporting devices IIC carried by said turn-table, said supporting devices being arranged to travel toward and from the boring-tube, gripping devices car' ried by said supporting devices and adapted to grip the boringtube,'and means carried -adapted to grip the boring-tube, and means carried by thetilrn-table for positively moving said-gripping devices simultaneously towardand from said boring-tube.

14. In a well-sinkingapparatus, the com:

bination of a turn-table, grippin devices carried thereby and movable radially thereon, a shaft connected to each of said gripping de vices and adapted to be rotated for moving thesame toward and from the tube to be gripped, and connecting devices carried by the turn-table'connectin the shafts of the different gripping devices or rotating them simultaneously, substantially as described.

15. In a well-sinking apparatus, the combination of a turn-table, gripping devices carried thereby and movable radially thereon, a radially-disposed shaft connected to each of said gripping devices and adapted to be rotated for moving the same toward and from the tube to be gripped, and connecting-shafts and gears connecting the .shafts of the different gripping devices, for adjusting said ripping devices simultaneously, substantial y as described.

16. In a well-sinking apparatus, the combination of a turn-table, gripping devices car ried thereby and movable radially thereon toward and from the tube to be gripped, ra-

dially-disposed shafts connected to said gripping devices for adjusting them,.each of said shafts carrying a s rocket-wheel, a chain connecting the sproc ret-wheels of the different shafts, and means for operating said. chain to rotate said sprocket-wneelsand adjust the position of said gripping devices, substantially as-described.

17. In a well-sinking apparatus, the combination of a turn-table, gripping devices carried thereby and movable thereon toward and from the tube to be gripped, radiallydisposed shafts connected to said ripping devices for adjusting them, each of said shafts carrying a S rocket-wheel, a chain con necting the sproc et-wheels of the different shafts, and means for operating said chain while the turn-table is rotating, to rotate said sprocket-wheels and adjust the position of said gripping devices, substantially as described.

18. In a well-sinking apparatus, the comssaaoo bination of a turn-table, ripping devices carried thereby and mova lethereon toward and from the tube to be gripped, shafts connected to said gripping devices for adjusting them, each ofisajd shafts carrying a sprocketwheel, a chain connecting the sprocketwheels of the different shafts, means for operating said chain while the turn-table is rotating, to rotate said sprocket-wheels and adjust the position of said gripping devices, vertical shafts carried by said turn-table at opposite sides of and adjacent to each of said first-mentioned shafts, sprocket-wheels mounted on said vertical shafts, and crossheads carried by said shafts, said cross-heads having projecting pins, substantially. as described.

. 19. In a well-sinking apparatus, the combination of a turn-table, gripping devices carried thereby and movable'thereon toward and from the tube to be gripped, shafts connected to said gripping devices for adjusting them, each of said shafts carrying a sprocketwheel, a chain connecting the sprocket-wheels of the different shafts, means for operating said chain while the turn-table is rotating, to rotate said sprocket-wheels and adjust the position of said gripping devices, vertical shafts carried by said turn-table at opposite sides of and adjacent to each of said firstr nentioned shafts, sprocket-wheels mounted on said vertical shafts, cross-heads carried by said shafts, said cross-heads having project ing pins, a gear mounted on one of sald vertica shafts, and a reversing-gear carried by said turn-table and meshing with said first-mentioned gear, said reversing-gear having projecting pins, substantially as described.

20. The combinationwith a turn-table, of

three sets of gripping devices mounted thereon at substantially equal distances apart, each of said gripping devices being provided with ascrew-threaded rod and a nut for ositively, moving them radially in either irection, and guides secured to the turn-table for holding the gripping devices in their respective positions on the turn-table, each of said rods being provided with gearing, and connections for moving the gripping devices simultaneously to or from the pipe'to be gripped and turned, substantially as described. l

21. In a well-sinltin apparatus, the cornbination of a turn-taile, gripping devices carried thereby adapted to engage the boring tube, said gripping devices being mounted on swlnging su' ports adapted to swing up-' tube, said gripping devices being mounted? on swinging supports adapted to swing upward with reference to the boring-tube, whereby they may be moved out of operative engagement with the borii1g-tube when the boring-tube is lifted, means for swinging said supports, and means for locking said supports to hold said gripping devices out of op erative position, substantially as described.

'23. In a well-sinking apparatus, the combination of a turn-table, a gripping device carried thereby adapted to'engage the boringtube, said gripping device being mountedin I a swinging support, whereby it maybe moved out of operative engagement with the boringtube, a stop on which said support rests, and means for adjusting said stop %to raise the swinging support, substantially as described.

24. In a well-sinkingapparatus, the combination of a turn-table, a gripping device carried thereby adapted to engage the boringtube, said gripping device being'mounted in a swinging support, whereby it may be moved out of operative engagement with the boringtube, an adjustable cam'orn which said sup port rests, and means foradjusting said-cam to raise the swinging support, substantially as described.

25. In a well-sinking apparatus, the com binatiqn of a base, a turn-table, an inverted peripheral rack carried thereby having an external peripheral groove below said rack, a driving-gear engaging said rack for rotating said turn-table and a plurality of clamps fiX- e'dly secured to the base and having rigid teeth which project into said groove to prevent displacement of said turn-table.

26. In a Well-sinking apparatus, the combination of a turn-table; supporting devices mounted thereon and movable toward and from the center thereof, gripping devices carried by said supporting devices, and means connected with said supporting devices for i is positively moving said gripping devices simultaneously toward or from the center of the turn-table.

27. In a well-sinking apparatus, the combination of a turn-table, three supporting devices mounted thereon and having gripping devices adapted to grip the boring-tube, said supporting devices being substantially equally distant apart and beingadapted to travel on said turn-table toward and'from the boring-tube, and means adapted to be operated independently of the rotation of the turn-table and connected with said supports =for positively moving said gripping devices carried thereby adapted to engage the boring tube, said gripping devices being mounted on swinging supports adapted to swing vupward above a horizontal plane, whereby they may be swun upward out of operative engagement the boring-tube to enable the pipe,

,With its couplings, to pass said gripping devices, said swinging supports being movable bodily, toward, and from the boring-tube,v

substantially as described.

Witnesses:

JOHN. L. JAo soN, JULIA M. BmsroL.

MATTHEW T. CHAPMAN 

